Chicago Fire Loan Marco Franco to USL PRO's OC Blues FC

CHICAGO (Aug. 8, 2014) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Friday that the club has loaned Marco Franco to USL PRO side OC Blues FC. The Fire will retain the option to recall Franco during the loan period.

Selected in the first round (13th overall) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, Franco has started seven of his eight MLS Reserve League appearances this season.

A native of Chino Hills, Calif., Franco matriculated to UC Irvine where he was named All-Big West Second Team as a sophomore and garnered All-Big West Honorable Mention in his junior season. Franco capped off his collegiate career with a standout senior season where he started all 23 matches and was ranked second among field players with 2,134 minutes played.

After leading a back line that posted 10 shutouts and allowed a Big West low of 77 shots on goal, Franco was named the Big West Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 28 and earned First Team All-West Region, Big West Defender of the Year and First Team All-Big West honors.